At First Bite by Ruth Ames

a loud — well, good voice for the stage. She may not look like Vera in the movie, but that doesn’t matter. She’s — she’s really pretty,” I add haltingly. But it’s true. In a way, Sasha’s crazy fashion sense, combined with her looks, makes her much more unique and interesting than … well, than Paige.
    Carmen and Wendy gawk at me. Marc grins and shakes his head. And Sasha looks the most stunned of all. I can understand. I haven’t been exactly friendly to her. Of course, I’m only suggesting that she play Vera to save my own skin. But it’s a little rewarding to see her eyes start to shine.
    “You make a convincing case, Ashlee,” says Mr. Harker. “I’d be all for it, but Sasha is indispensable as our stage manager. Who can fill in for her?”
    Now it’s my turn to gawk when Wendy speaks up.
    “I can,” she says. “Being prop master isn’t all that demanding, so I have extra time. Sasha can explain the basics to me. All I need is the headset, right?” She looks sort of psyched at the prospect of gettingto boss people around. Carmen blinks at her friend, clearly unsettled by this turn of events.
    “Well, Sasha?” Mr. Harker asks. Everyone turns to see her response.
    For the first time since I’ve known her, Sasha seems at a loss for words. She bites her lip and tugs on a stray curl.
    “Um … I
could
give Wendy a crash course in stage-managing,” she says, her voice uncharacteristically soft. “And, uh, I guess I do have all the lines memorized, because I’m always checking the script. I’ve never acted before, but …”
    “Oh, just do it, Sasha!” Gordon says, surprising everyone. I’d had no idea he was even listening.
    A smile creeps across Sasha’s face. “Okay,” she says. She throws up her hands, bracelets clanking. “For as long as Paige can’t do it, I’ll play Vera.”
    Marc gives his twin a fist bump, and even Wendy looks pleased. I’m surprised to feel a burst of gladness. It’s not that I’m happy Paige is out of the picture. But it’s hard to deny that Sasha will be a much better Vera.
    “Woot!” James shouts, pumping a fist in the air. “Uh, I hope Paige gets better real soon, though,” he adds, looking away from Carmen’s glare.
    “Excellent,” Mr. Harker says, clapping his hands. “Okay, gang. Before we start rehearsing, the whole cast needs to go backstage with Ashlee for your fittings.”
    I nod but feel a twinge of terror. I’ll be going back to where I discovered Paige. The whole cast turns pale, so I know they’re thinking the same thing.
    If Mr. Harker notices our hesitation, he doesn’t address it. “Tomorrow morning,” he continues, “I’ll bring the costumes to be tailored at the dry cleaners. But since some of the alterations might take a while, we won’t be able to hold a dress rehearsal.” A groan goes up among the cast. “I know, I know,” he says. “But we’ll have a quick run-through during lunch on Friday.”
    The cast and crew break up, buzzing about Paige and Sasha. Meanwhile, I take a deep breath. What if there’s another body sprawled on the floor of the costume room? I wish I knew where Dark Ones were lingering, and when they planned to strike next.
Marc was right,
I realize.
We need to do something before there’s another attack.
    I’m making myself walk up the steps to the stage when Sasha appears beside me.
    “Hey,” she says, giving me a cautious smile. “Thanks. For suggesting me. I wouldn’t have expected that.”
    “Well …” I shrug, feeling embarrassed. “You were the obvious choice. And,” I add, looking down at my patterned tights, “I owed you one … for, you know, saving my life and all. In the bathroom?” It occurs to me then that I could tell Sasha the story behind my accident that day. She knows about bat-shifting. She would understand.
    Sasha laughs as we go backstage. “I don’t think I technically saved your life, Ashlee. But sure, I suppose we’re even now.” As I nervously open